Connolly gifts his bike to Litton Das [Source: @arnuX05/X]Australia managed to salvage their pride in the third ODI against Bangladesh as the visitors defeated the Tigers in a nail-biting encounter to avoid an embarrassing series defeat. Australia had lost the first two matches, but then a Cooper Connolly special rescued them in the last game as the Kangaroos ended the ODIs on a high.The elegant left-handed batter, Connolly, scored a stunning hundred and was the one-man army for the Aussies as he punished the Bangladesh team with his exemplary batting.Cooper Connolly's hundred hands Australia crucial winThe Aussies needed to win the third ODI against Bangladesh to avoid a clean sweep, but their task was made difficult in the first innings as the hosts piled up 274/5, and the team had the upper hand.In reply, the visitors lost Josh Inglis and Matt Renshaw early, as they were staring at yet another embarrassing defeat away from home. However, this is when Connolly came to life as he played the innings of his life to rescue his team from a precarious situation.He scored his maiden ODI hundred, and it was a counter-attacking knock as the Bangladesh bowlers had no answer to his onslaught. The left-handed star was dismissed for a quickfire 149 off 134 balls as he helped the team win the third ODI match.For his outstanding batting display, Connolly was awarded the Player of the Match, but interestingly, he gave away the prize to someone else.Connolly gifts his Man of the Match award to Litton DasThe Australian batter was awarded a bike as the Man of the Match prize, and interestingly, instead of keeping it with him, the southpaw gave it to the Bangladesh batter, Litton Das.Also Read: Cameron Green Out From Australia T2OI Squad Vs BangladeshConnolly received an e-bike as the highest run-scorer of the ODI series, and everyone expected him to keep the prized possession, but he handed it over to Litton Das, who, earlier in the game, had suffered from cramps and was unable to walk after the match ended.This was a heartwarming gesture from the Australian cricketer, who had realised that one of the opponent players was seriously injured, and as a goodwill gesture, he gave away his Man of the Match prize to Litton.Connolly saves Australia's blushes, but Bangladesh has the last laughConnolly’s superb hundred immense pressure saved Australia’s day as the visitors managed to take some confidence heading into the T20I series against the same opponent.However, Bangladesh, the hosts, certainly had the last laugh as they managed to win the series against the Aussies. Interestingly, this was the first time the Tigers were able to win an ODI series against Australia.Bangladesh won the first ODI by a huge margin of 86 runs as they took a 1-0 lead in the series. Australia was tipped to bounce back in the second game, but that never happened as the Tigers inflicted yet another loss to capture the series.The hosts were aiming for a series whitewash, and they almost managed to achieve the target before Connolly stood like a brick wall and won the match for the Australian side.Also Read: India Women Handed Brutal Reality For T20 World Cup Despite Big Win Over Pakistan
